think about it -- anthony weiner, dsk, herman cain, jerry sandusky, the campaign, donald trump, michele bachmann, rick perry, newt gingrich. the world stage, turmoil in tunisia, in egypt, in libya, in syria. we'll examine whether the media's coverage of these fast-moving events has been serious, sensational, or superficial, a year-end report card of sorts. plus, a conversation with ben smith, who's leaving "politico" for buzzfeed. what is that? >>> and a look back at our most provocative interviews of 2011. i'm howard kurtz, and this is the christmas day edition of "reliable sources." >>> it's been a better year for scandal. some sleazy, some superficial, all devoured by the media. perhaps the most chilling came from the world of sports. first at penn state, then at syracuse university with popular coaches accused of horrendous acts. >> in retrospect, i -- you know, i shouldn't have showered with these kids. >> what's it? >> yeah, well, that's what hits me the most. >> are you a pedophile? >> no. >> another major scandal involved a global media corporation, the one run by rupert murdoch